BRITISH BIRDS. 5I 



when they are able to pick, they should have soaked 

 canary seed and crushed hemp, but not too much of 

 the last, which turns them dusky, and destroys the bright- 

 ness of their beautiful red breast. 



A small twig of some fruit or forest tree is also conducive 

 to their happiness and health. 



Pine.Grossbeak. — This bird, which may be called the 

 cousin-german of the last, is not, like it, a resident in 

 Britain all the year round, but comes over in winter only 

 from the far north. It is of a reddish brown colour, except 

 the wings and tail, which are black. The former have the 

 wing coverts broadly edged with gre}', ami the back 

 feathers have dark centres ; the under surface is of a 

 lighter shade than the upper, and is not spotted : the bill is 

 short, thick, and black. The female is rather of an olive 

 brown colour than red. The young resemble her. 



These birds feed chieflj'' on the seeds of the various 

 coniferse that grow in the countries they frequent. In 

 Britain they are partial to the seeds of the larch and the 

 beech, but will eat any others they can find. Length, 8i 

 inche.s ; tail, 3. 



Crossbill.— These curious birds are winter visitors 

 only to Great Britain, and then but occasionallj'. They 

 vary greatly in size as well as in colour, ;?carcely tv/o in a 

 flock being alike in either respect. The prevailing tints 

 are green, olive, orange, red, scarlet, and yellow. The 

 upper and lower mandibles cross each other, but also vary 

 a good deal in length and in the amount of curvature they 

 present. The young are dark green, with blackish spots 

 and streaks. 



These birds feed principally on the seeds of fir and pine 

 trees, but are very partial to those of the cypress and 

 arborvitaj. They very seldom nest in Britain, but instances 

 are, nevertheless, recorded in which they have done so, 



